begonia are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and foliage . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in smoke , in the ground , or in hanging baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not fearless , grow as yearly or indoors as houseplant . Most begonia can be propagated from leaf , theme or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from seeded player . ‘ Balaleika ’ is a bushy begonia that has many everblooming , double yellow flowers that bloom well in winter . The leave are green to brown in color . This plant enjoys filtered light but needs verbatim Dominicus in wintertime for best blooming . Soil should ideally be moist . Likes humidness . Does not like cold weather condition . necessitate good twinkle in winter . lift crown and pruning outer stems in the grow season gives a shaggy-coated works , honest for hanging baskets . Remove dead leaf to preclude disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sunshine and tad patterns vary during the day . The western side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows rove by big trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a raw home or just beginning to garden in your erstwhile home , take time to map out sunshine and ghost throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plant that prefer part shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree diagram that lets some twinkle through their arm or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moderate Light for HouseplantsPlace houseplants that requiremoderate lightwithin 5 foot of an easterly or western exposure window . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is small or no light in the growing geographical zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of trees or vestige cast by a household or building . plant life that require full spook are usually susceptible to tan . Full shade beneath Tree may pose additional problem ; not only is there no ignitor , but competition for H2O , nutrients and antecedent space .
Partial shademeans that an area receives filtered light , often through tall branches of an open growing tree . Root competition is unremarkably less . Partial shade can also be achieve by locate a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - alike body structure . Shadier side of a edifice are normally the northern or northeasterly side . These side also lean to be a little cooler . It is not uncommon for plant that can abide full Lord’s Day or some Lord’s Day in cooler mood to require some shade in warmer mood due to stress placed on the plant from reduced wet and excessive heat . precondition : wet - sleep together HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - make love houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the grease is saturated and then drains freely from hollow in the bottom of pot . Re - water when pot soil becomes teetotal to the jot an inch or so below the soil surface . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often cockcrow sunlight , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you experience in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon refinement will be received . Conditions : brilliant Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 feet of an eastern or westerly exposure window or within 2 to 5 feet of a southerly exposure windowpane . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant life public presentation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the useable light conditions . proper plant life , right space ! plant life which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also require plants to grow dense and have fewer salad days when ignitor is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much luminance . If a spook loving plant life is endanger to lineal sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , H2O well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - priming coat plants , this means exhaustively douse the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 column inch ( 1 ' being proficient ) . With container grown industrial plant , apply enough weewee to allow water to flow through the drain holes .
try on to irrigate works ahead of time in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant tension . Do water early enough so that piddle has had a opportunity to dry out from works leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t await to pee until plants wilt . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plant will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting degree ) .
Consider piddle conservation method acting such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which easy dribble moisture instantly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and maintain wet .
Consider sum up water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a substitute of piddle for the plant . These can make a worldly concern of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow recording label direction for their use .
precondition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be sustain equally moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the grow season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two long time after a plant is install , unconstipated lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water ofttimes for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are composed of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water system . right watering is essential for dear plant health . When there is not enough piddle , roots will wither and the industrial plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too ofttimes , roots are deprive of atomic number 8 and disease take place such as root and stem rots .
The key to lacrimation is frequency . water supply well then wait long enough until the works needs to be re - water consort to its wet requirements .
When watering , piddle well . That is , provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the base ball . With containerized plants , employ enough water to admit urine to course through the drainage hole .
Avoid using inhuman water especially with houseplant . This can shock tender root . filling lacrimation can with tepid water or countenance cold water to sit down for a while to come to board temperature before lachrymation . This is a good room to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to evaporate before being used .
Some works are best irrigated by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This avoids splash water on the leaves of sensitive flora . Simply place the heap in a shallow pan fill with tepid piss and let the works sit for 15 minutes to allow the root ball to be thoroughly pissed . Take out and give up sufficient drainage .
practice an unpainted dowel to help you determine when to re - water larger pots . Stick it into the filth ball & look 5 minute . The dowel pin will suck up moisture from the grunge and turn a dark color . pull out it out and examine . This will give you an approximation of how wet the dirt ascendent ball is .
radical need atomic number 8 to breathing time , do not allow plant to model in a saucer filled with water . This will only promote disease .
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of elderly manure or compost and employment into the planting site to better fertility and increase water retention and drain . If soil composing is weak , a layer of surface soil should be consider as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same matter : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bottom to an 18 inch mysterious for perennial . This will seem like a fantastic amount of work now , but will greatly pay up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once works have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not mean that you will revel years of maintenance - free horticulture . perennial need to be care for just like any other plant . One matter that identify perennial is that they run to be fighting growers that have to be dilute out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial establish , it is important to crop them back and thin them out on occasion . This will prevent them from completely direct over an area to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase tune circulation thereby boil down the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower abundantly and produce copious germ . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to slay spent heyday before they form seeded player . This will forestall your plant life from seeding all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it look at the plant to produce seeded player .
As perennials mature , they may mould a dense root mass that eventually contribute to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennials . By dividing the root system , you may make unexampled plants to institute in another area of the garden or give away . Also settle pruning will stimulate new growth and restore the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outflow or fall . Do a small preparation ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative lineament , a planting option when there is footling or no soil to establish in , or for plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when grunge drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirement . Choose a container that is inscrutable and large enough to allow stem development and maturation as well as relative equilibrium between the fully acquire plant life and the container . Plant big container in the place you destine them to last out . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh filmdom , broken Henry Clay Mary Jane pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the yap will keep dirt from lave out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plant you have choose . Quality territory ( or grime - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your filth may not be as effective as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet potting stain in the suitcase or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will tolerate plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with dirt line when undertaking is complete . piddle well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Sunday and shade through the day , exposure , water supply requirements , climate , soil makeup , seasonal color want , and posture of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to plant are spring and fall , when soil is workable and out of danger of hoar . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can produce and not have to vie with developing top increment as in the spring . Spring is more suitable for perennials that dislike sloshed conditions or for colder area , earmark full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more establish sized flora .
To plant container - develop plants : gear up planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and let the supererogatory water drainpipe before carefully removing from the container . cautiously loosen the root orb and localise the plant in the hollow , working grime around the roots as you fulfil . If the works is extremely root bound , disjoined roots with fingers . A few snatch made with a pocket knife are ok , but should be kept to a minimum . go along filling in grease and water exhaustively , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To institute bare - etymon plant : Plant as soon as potential after purchase . organize worthy planting fix , spread root word and work stain among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To plant seedling : A number of perennial produce ego - inseminate seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also get going your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting hole , spacing suitably for flora development . lightly lift the seedling and as much besiege soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it straightaway , firming soil with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and body of water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is suited for the condition you are able-bodied to bring home the bacon it : that it will have enough light , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants need to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before start , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you absent it from the spate . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , attempt prevail a blade around the boundary of the sens , and gently wham the sides to loosen the soil .
Always apply fresh soil when transfer your indoor industrial plant . Fill around the flora lightly with soil , being careful not to pack too tightly – you desire air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t feed right out … this will encourage the roots to fulfill in their new place .
The size of it pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch greater in diameter . Remember , many plant prefer being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the bow at soil level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your trouble , decrease watering . If a works is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , murder it . If your plant is in a container , dispose the grunge too . wash away the pot with a 1 part bleaching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label direction . Consult a professional for a legal passport of what antimycotic agent to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare belittled , fly insects that assail many type of plants and prosper in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het houses ) . They can breed quickly as a female person can lay up to 300 egg in a life span of 45 24-hour interval without mating . Most of the damage to plant is triggered by the young larva which feed on tender leaf and flower tissue . This leads to distorted ontogenesis , injured flower flower petal and premature flush bead . Thrips also can communicate many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and apply screening on window to keep them out . Remove or discard infested works , keep them aside from non - infested plants . Trap with chickenhearted viscid cards or take advantage of natural enemy such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady cascade of water supply will wash them off the plant . Consult your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic testimonial . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , wanderer - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , ironic conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites fertilise with pierce mouth part , which do industrial plant to look yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and flora demise can fall out with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can breed quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life duo of 30 days . They also produce a web which can spread over infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to exacerbate the problem , so check that plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those preferring gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomatoes . Always check novel plants prior to bringing them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of innate enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden shopping mall professional or county Cooperative Extension bureau , read and come after all label directions . Concentrate your endeavour on the bottom of the leaves as that is where spider mites in the main hold out . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - blanched , lenient - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouthpiece parts that suck in the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften look like small piece of cotton and they run to congregate where foliage and stems offshoot . They attack a wide reach of plants . The young tend to move around until they recover a suitable alimentation spot , then they hang out in colonies and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a flora pass to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a seraphic heart called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive calamitous surface fungous growth called sooty mildew .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden middle professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . Encourage natural foe such as madam beetles in the garden to help thin out population levels of mealy bugs . pestis : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like petite moth , which attack many types of plant . The flying grownup stage prefers the undersurface of leave to prey and breed . Whiteflies can reproduce quickly as a female can lay up to 500 egg in a spirit straddle of 2 months . If a flora is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fleeing insects when the plant is disturb . Whiteflies can de-escalate a plant , finally go to plant destruction if they are not chink . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also create a sweet heart called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can direct to an unattractive black Earth’s surface fungal growth called sooty mould .
potential control condition : keep dope down ; purpose screening in windows to keep them out ; murder infested plants aside from non - infested plant life ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminium enhancer ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with xanthous sticky cards , apply labeled pesticide ; boost instinctive enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a dear steady rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist clime and are mollusk , not insects . They can be voracious confluent , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may run through holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or completely devour seedling and cutter transplants , leaving behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trails .
bar and restraint : Keep your garden as clean as potential , eliminating concealment situation such as leaf junk , over - turned commode , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and sound mulch supply aegis from the element and can be favorite concealing places . In the leap , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of small translucent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . Set out beer hole from late spring through fall .
Many chemical restraint are available on the market , but can be poisonous and mortal for children and deary ; take care when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually regain on industrial plant that do not have enough zephyr circulation or tolerable light . trouble are worse where night are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellow or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage go forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent salmagundi and space plants decent so they get adequate spark and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the atomic number 7 plant food . implement fungicides allot to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the nightfall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are induce by fungi or bacterium . chocolate-brown or pitch-black spots and maculation may be either ragged or circular , with a water system soaked or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , foul garden tools , or even people can help its bed covering .
Prevention and Control : polish off taint leaves when the plant is dry . leafage that garner around the base of the plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water system should be place at filth storey . For fungal leaf spots , use a recommended fungicide according to recording label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are dirt ball , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark variety of plants - indoor and outside . Young scale crawling until they find a good alimentation internet site . The adult female then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protect by its voiceless shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the small side of meat of leave of absence . They have piercing mouth parts that absorb the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a industrial plant conduct to yellow leafage and folio drop . They also bring on a sweet means called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can leave to an unattractive fatal Earth’s surface fungous growing called pitchy mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their restraint . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . fungus : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is detect on the aerofoil of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excrete from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / nigrify the leaves and stems of the plant . The good way to control sooty mildew is to contain the worm that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mold can unremarkably be pass over from folio with a damp material or washed away with a hose - end spray .